PM Chinh, President Biden agree on respecting nations’ independence, sovereignty

Chinh met with Biden at the White House in Washington D.C. Thursday night as part of his visit for the U.S.-ASEAN Summit.

Biden said he’s always had a lot of love for Vietnam and its people, and during his time as a U.S. senator, he and his late colleague John McCain had lobbied to bolster U.S. relations with Vietnam.

Washington wants to cooperate and support developing countries in multiple areas, including commerce, disease prevention and climate change response, he said.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Biden’s administration has lobbied for the Congress to distribute $21 billion to support countries with vaccines, medicines and medical equipment, as well as cooperate with countries to respond to future diseases.

America’s actions not only served its own interests, but also other countries’, Biden said.

Chinh meanwhile said Vietnam and the U.S. have moved on from a painful past of war, and have cooperated to bolster their comprehensive partnership.

He wished the U.S. could continue to cooperate with and support Vietnam in fields like disease prevention, climate change response and diversifying supply chains.

Chinh also said there needs to be global, multilateral approaches when it comes to solving issues like climate change, disease and other non-traditional security challenges.

Biden agreed with Chinh about respecting the independence and sovereignty of every nation, and solving conflicts without violence in accordance with international law.

Chinh is in the U.S. for the U.S.-ASEAN Summit, which marks 45 years of ties between the two sides and 27 years since the U.S. and Vietnam established diplomatic relations.